System and method for improved human learning through multi-sensory stimulus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for improving human learning by providing multi-sensory stimulus. A system narrates a text to a user at a narration pace, while determining a focal point of the user&#39;s gaze using both a camera and eye tracking analysis. The system determines a user pace based on a shift in the gaze focal point during narration of the text, then adjusts the narration pace based on the user pace. The adjustment is performed based on a selection of a retention mode and a development mode. The retention mode maintains the narration pace with the user pace for maximal user retention of the text. The development mode increases the narration pace with respect to the user pace for user reading rate acceleration.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/487,846, filed Jun. 4, 2012, the contents of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to providing human learning using asystem that narrates text to a user and determines, based on a gazefocal point of the user. whether to adjust a narration pace.

2. Introduction

Reading programs can help people learn to read better, faster, and canhelp increase reading retention by focusing on phonics, vocabulary, andcomprehension. Reading programs can also be designed to increase readingspeed. Many reading programs provide multimedia presentations using acombination of text, audio, video, images, and animation whilesimultaneously allowing users to interact with the program. A classicexample is the bouncing ball cartoons made for young children stilllearning to read. In the bouncing ball cartoons, when the children heara word and see the ball bouncing on that word, it reinforcesassociations made in the child's mind between the word and its audiblepronunciation. Developing multiple sensory stimulus learning systems cansimilarly aid in education and effective presentations. For example,reading a book, while simultaneously listening to a narration of thatbook, can reinforce learning. Similarly, many opt to watch televisionwith closed captioning, even when they have excellent hearing, becausethey not only wish to hear the television but see the dialog, therebybetter understanding and internalizing the dialog.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary vision/audio embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of narration modes; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of narration pace adjustments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure presents improved human learning throughmulti-sensory stimulus. A system, method and computer-readable media aredisclosed which provide multi-sensory stimulus based on user readingability. A brief introductory description of a basic general purposesystem or computing device in FIG. 1 which can be employed to practicethe concepts is disclosed herein. A more detailed description ofproviding text narration based on user reading ability will then follow.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 includes ageneral-purpose computing device 100, including a processing unit (CPUor processor) 120 and a system bus 110 that couples various systemcomponents including the system memory 130 such as read only memory(ROM) 140 and random access memory (RAM) 150 to the processor 120. Thesystem 100 can include a cache 122 of high speed memory connecteddirectly with, in close proximity to, or integrated as part of theprocessor 120. The system 100 copies data from the memory 130 and/or thestorage device 160 to the cache 122 for quick access by the processor120. In this way, the cache provides a performance boost that avoidsprocessor 120 delays while waiting for data. These and other modules cancontrol or be configured to control the processor 120 to perform variousactions. Other system memory 130 may be available for use as well. Thememory 130 can include multiple different types of memory with differentperformance characteristics. It can be appreciated that the disclosuremay operate on a computing device 100 with more than one processor 120or on a group or cluster of computing devices networked together toprovide greater processing capability. The processor 120 can include anygeneral purpose processor and a hardware module or software module, suchas module 1 162, module 2 164, and module 3 166 stored in storage device160, configured to control the processor 120 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 120 may essentially be acompletely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processormay be symmetric or asymmetric.

The system bus 110 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. A basicinput/output (BIOS) stored in ROM 140 or the like, may provide the basicroutine that helps to transfer information between elements within thecomputing device 100, such as during start-up. The computing device 100further includes storage devices 160 such as a hard disk drive, amagnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, tape drive or the like. Thestorage device 160 can include software modules 162, 164, 166 forcontrolling the processor 120. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 160 is connected to the system bus 110by a drive interface. The drives and the associated computer readablestorage media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputing device 100. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs aparticular function includes the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as the processor 120, bus 110, display 170, and soforth, to carry out the function. The basic components are known tothose of skill in the art and appropriate variations are contemplateddepending on the type of device, such as whether the device 100 is asmall, handheld computing device, a desktop computer, or a computerserver.

Although the exemplary embodiment described herein employs the hard disk160, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that othertypes of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories(RAMs) 150, read only memory (ROM) 140, a cable or wireless signalcontaining a bit stream and the like, may also be used in the exemplaryoperating environment. Computer-readable storage media expressly excludemedia such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, andsignals per se.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 100, an inputdevice 190 represents any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 170 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems enable a user to provide multiple types of input to communicatewith the computing device 100. The communications interface 180generally governs and manages the user input and system output. There isno restriction on operating on any particular hardware arrangement andtherefore the basic features here may easily be substituted for improvedhardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system embodiment ispresented as including individual functional blocks including functionalblocks labeled as a “processor” or processor 120. The functions theseblocks represent may be provided through the use of either shared ordedicated hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable ofexecuting software and hardware, such as a processor 120, that ispurpose-built to operate as an equivalent to software executing on ageneral purpose processor. For example the functions of one or moreprocessors presented in FIG. 1 may be provided by a single sharedprocessor or multiple processors. (Use of the term “processor” shouldnot be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executingsoftware.) Illustrative embodiments may include microprocessor and/ordigital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) 140 forstoring software performing the operations discussed below, and randomaccess memory (RAM) 150 for storing results. Very large scaleintegration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSIcircuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also beprovided.

The logical operations of the various embodiments are implemented as:(1) a sequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a programmable circuit within a general use computer, (2) asequence of computer implemented steps, operations, or proceduresrunning on a specific-use programmable circuit; and/or (3)interconnected machine modules or program engines within theprogrammable circuits. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 can practice allor part of the recited methods, can be a part of the recited systems,and/or can operate according to instructions in the recitedcomputer-readable storage media. Such logical operations can beimplemented as modules configured to control the processor 120 toperform particular functions according to the programming of the module.For example, FIG. 1 illustrates three modules Mod1 162, Mod2 164 andMod3 166 which are modules configured to control the processor 120.These modules may be stored on the storage device 160 and loaded intoRAM 150 or memory 130 at runtime or may be stored as would be known inthe art in other computer-readable memory locations.

Having disclosed some components of a computing system, the disclosurenow turns to FIG. 2, which illustrates an exemplary video/audioembodiment 200. A reader 210 can improve reading retention using themulti-sensory system 200 illustrated by using the sense of sight to readtext 208 on a screen while using the sense of hearing to hear anarration of the same text 208. The screen 202 can be any monitor ordevice capable of displaying text such as a computer monitor, laptopcomputer screen, television, smartphone, etc. A user 210 can then readtext 208 on a computer monitor 202 while a narration of the text 208 isprovided simultaneously through the speakers 206.

The system 200 provides feedback pertaining to a user's gaze 204 for usein synchronizing a narration pace with a user's reading pace using acamera. The camera used to track eye gaze 204 can be built into thescreen 202, such as in a smartphone or a tablet computer, oralternatively can be a peripheral device attached to a computer or otherelectronic associated with the screen 202. The camera used in tracking auser's gaze 204 can work with an eye tracking analysis program to detectthe current location of a user's gaze 204 on the display 202 and cansend the gaze information to the eye tracking program for furtheranalysis. The system 200 has at least a camera, a display 202, andspeakers 206. The speakers output a narration of text while the user 210is reading the text 208. By seeing and hearing the text 208 multiplesenses are engaged, and the user 210 can improve their learning process.

In another configuration, the system 200 can be altered such that thecamera is used to track hand movement instead of eye movement for blindreaders reading Braille. The camera can be fixed on a hand moving acrossa physical copy of the text or a digital device such as a Brailleterminal during narration of the text. In this configuration, the senseof hearing is engaged as the user hears the narration of the text, whilethe tactile sense is engaged by feeling the Braille with the hand. Inthis manner multi-sensory learning is occurring. By synchronizing thenarration with the focal point of a user's gaze, or the user's handmovement, the system 200 engages in multi-sensory learning. The system200 can improve this multi-sensory learning by improving reading speedand/or retention for the user 210. Other applications include touchsensitive displays that have the ability to generate tactile feedbackfor the visually impaired. The system can provide tactile feedback forvisually impaired users attempting to assess or improve their vision. Auser can use his hands to follow along with narrated portions of a texton a touch screen while the system provides feedback to the user. Forexample, the system can direct the user to touch certain words orphrases in differing fonts, colors and point size to assess vision andprovide feedback to the user. Optionally, on-screen texts can slowlychange in point size over time to determine user ability or improvevision. For example, the system can slowly decrease the point size ofon-screen text for a visually-impaired user attempting to improve theirvision while the user follows along using his hands. Other applicationsinvolving touch screens that generate tactile feedback are contemplated.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for improving the reading speedand/or retention of the user. For the sake of clarity, the method isdiscussed in terms of an exemplary system 100 as shown in FIG. 1configured to practice the method. The steps outlined herein areexemplary and can be implemented in any combination thereof, includingcombinations that exclude, add, or modify certain steps.

A system 100 implementing the method narrates a text to a user at anarration pace while the user reads the text 302. The text can bedetermined by the user or the system 100. For example the user couldsearch for a particular text such as a textbook or novel, or the system100 could automatically determine the text based on reading level,previous texts read, recommendations, etc. The narration pace can bedetermined by the user or the system 100 automatically. The narrationpace can be based on reading level, recent reading scores, textdifficulty, language, etc. Once the narration begins, the system 100determines a gaze focal point of the user in the text using a camera andan eye tracking analysis. The system 100 then determines, based at leastin part on a shift in the gaze focal point during narration of the text,a user pace 306. The system 100 can then adjust the narration pace basedat least in part on the user pace 308.

In certain configurations when the user pace falls outside of anacceptable range the system 100 can adjust the narration pace. Thisrange can be automatically determined by the system 100 based on a userhistory or other factors. For example, the system can determine, basedon the user history that after half an hour of reading the user's pacenormally slows by 5 words per minute. The acceptable range for the userpace can start at a given value, then decrease by 5 words per minute atthe half hour mark. Alternatively, the range can be selected by thereader. For example, the user could configure the system 100 such thatthe narration pace is not changed unless, over a period of 2 minutes theuser's pace is averaging more or less than 5 words from the narrationlocation.

The narration pace itself is adjusted based at least in part on a shiftin the gaze focal point maintained by the user during the narration.Other factors which can affect the adjustment can include reading pacepatterns; previous reading history; predicted difficulty; readingpatterns of friends, classmates, or peers; an analysis of wordpronunciation; difficulty of forthcoming words; foreign word usage;technical word usage; meter, rhythm, or rhyming associated with thetext. For example, if a text contains technical words, or foreign words,the system 100 can slow the narration pace based on a prediction thatthe user's pace will slow upon encountering those words. If the text hasbeen previously read by many friends or peers of the user, the system100 can base the narration pace on the paces of those peers. Should thetext contain an interesting meter, such as Iambic Pentameter, thenarration can modify the syllabic emphasis, and the rhythm of thenarration, based on this interesting meter.

How the narration pace is adjusted depends on a user selection of eithera retention mode or development mode. FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagramof narration modes the user can select 402. In retention mode 404, thesystem maintains the narration pace with the user pace to engagemultiple senses for increased retention of learned material 404. Indevelopment mode 406, the system maintains the narration pace at aslightly faster rate with respect to the user pace to aid in increasingthe user pace 406. In some configurations, should the user pace falloutside of an acceptable range for either retention mode or developmentmode, the system adjusts the narration pace accordingly.

FIG. 5 illustrates adjusting narration pace. The narration pace can beadjusted 502 by decreasing the pace 504 or increasing the pace 506. Thesystem can decrease the pace 504 by slowing word pronunciation 508 andelongating pauses between words 510. The system can increase thenarration pace 506 by accelerating word pronunciation 512 and shorteningpauses between words 514. The system can work in conjunction with anytext to speech generator, so long as the previously mentioned adjustablefeatures (pace/cadence, pronunciation timing, etc.) are present andadjustable.

In one example, a narration pace can be 230 words per minute (wpm) setby the system or the user, and the system can determine the user pace tobe 220 wpm based on the shift in the gaze focal point of the user. Inretention mode, the narration pace can be decreased to match the userpace for increased retention of the text. In development mode, thesystem could maintain, or increase, the narration pace to aid the userin increasing their reading speed. For example, a narration pace can be160 wpm. The system can determine the user pace to be 160 wpm based onthe shift in the gaze focal point during narration of the text. In thedevelopment mode, the system would then increase the narration pace toslightly faster than the user pace, such as a 170 wpm, to aid the userin obtaining a faster reading speed. Synchronizing narration with eyegaze using multiple senses can benefit readers of all ages, ranging fromchildren just learning to read to adults that have learned to readincorrectly or poorly. It can be utilized in educational institutions inthe transition from physical text books to digital texts on mobiledevices in schools around the world.

In one embodiment, the system can record the user pace to track readingimprovement over time. A user, teacher, or parent can then review ahistory of user paces to monitor reading improvement or regression. Forexample, a teacher can use the system to check individual readingassignment progress. A teacher can also use the system to determine theappropriateness of a text for a particular age group based on thereading rates of the students. For example, a teacher can assign a classto read Huckleberry Finn using the system, and he can periodically checkassignment progress. Using this information the teacher can plan hisclasses more effectively, because he knows the reading progress of eachstudent.

Parents can use the system to check children's homework completion. Forexample, a child can tell his parent that he completed his readingassignment in record time. The parent can verify it was actually readbased on feedback from the reading program. If the system indicates thatthe child's pace was too fast for reasonable retention, or that thechild didn't actually read (that is, maintain a gaze on the words), theparent can have the child reread the text. In addition to monitoringassignment completion, the system can be used for improving readerability. Reader ability can be improved by tracking identifiedproblematic words, word types and word sequences and focusing onimproving those problem areas. For example, the system may determinethat a student has particular difficulty with the “th” sound based onfeedback from the eye gaze tracking system. This determination can bemade by the tracking system identifying that the student spends moretime looking at words beginning or ending in “th” than other word types.This information can be used to adjust narration speed, for example,around words having “th” in them, to allow the student more time toprocess the word. In yet another example, document editors can have thetext they are editing narrated to them by a system configured accordingto the disclosed method. Should the document editors skip a section, thesystem (which is simultaneously narrating the text based on the editor'sgaze) can jump narration to the next section and mark the skippedsection for later review.

Other embodiments can warn the user, either visually, throughvibrations, or audible notification, when a problematic sound, word, orword sequence is approaching. The system can use tracked difficulties toselect text either with fewer or more difficulties based on userpreference. For example, a reader can select a text with fewerdifficulties when he is short on time, or select a more challenging textwhen he has more time to devote to improving reading skills.Alternately, the system can automatically select texts based onpredetermined settings for a particular reader based on problem areas.For example, if the system has detected that certain words greatly slowdown the user, the system can recommend texts based on the frequency ofthose certain words in the texts. Thus a reader desiring speed, but whois slowed down by Latin phrases, would be presented reading optionsbased on the absence of Latin phrases, whereas a reader desiringretention might be presented reading options having a high frequency ofLatin phrases.

Other options may also be selected in addition to just narration pace.For example, based on any of the parameters and determinationsidentified herein—the system could select a different voice for eachmode or a different voice than what was previously used rather thanadjusting the narration speed. For example, a higher pitched voice mightsound like it is at a higher narration speed but it is not. Thus, voicegender, pitch, or any other factor can be selected as an alternate to oralso additional to the adjustment in narration pace. In addition, thesystem could change accents or adjust the narration to match a desiredage, nationality, or social group.

The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized andobtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of thedisclosure will become more fully apparent from the followingdescription and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice ofthe principles set forth herein.

As disclosed above, the systems, methods, and computer-readable storagemedia are provided for improving human learning through multi-sensorystimulus. An example of a system includes a processor and a computerreadable medium storing instructions which, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to perform a method that narrates text toa user as the user simultaneously reads the text, and uses a camera totrack the user's gaze and match the narration to where in the text theuser is currently reading. The system can aid reading retention bysynchronizing text narration with the focal point of the user's gaze.The system can also determine, based on shifts in the gaze focal point,the user's pace. The system can then use the user's pace to adjust thenarration pace according to a selected narration mode.

In a retention mode, the system maintains the narration pace with theuser's pace to engage multiple senses for increased retention of learnedmaterial. In a development mode, the system maintains the narration paceat a slightly faster rate with respect to the user's pace, therebyteaching the user to read faster. When the user pace falls outside of anacceptable range for either retention mode or development mode, thesystem adjusts the narration pace accordingly. The narration pace can beadjusted by slowing the pace or increasing the pace. Slowing the pacecan be accomplished by slowing word pronunciation and elongating pausesbetween words, while increasing the narration pace can be accomplishedby accelerating word pronunciation and shortening pauses between words.

The system can track the user's pace over time to monitor trends inreading improvement or regression. The system can further trackidentified problematic words, word types, word sequences, and otherreading problems. Teachers, parents, or system administrators can thenutilize these trends and identified reading problems to focus onimproving specific problem areas.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also includetangible and/or computer-readable storage media for carrying or havingcomputer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Suchcomputer-readable storage media can be any available media that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, including thefunctional design of any special purpose processor as discussed above.By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media caninclude RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to carry or store desired program code means in theform of computer-executable instructions, data structures, or processorchip design. In one aspect, the computer readable medium isnon-transitory. When information is transferred or provided over anetwork or another communications connection (either hardwired,wireless, or combination thereof) to a computer, the computer properlyviews the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any suchconnection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinationsof the above should also be included within the scope of thecomputer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Computer-executable instructions also includeprogram modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or networkenvironments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, objects, and the functions inherent in thedesign of special-purpose processors, etc. that perform particular tasksor implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated data structures, and program modules representexamples of the program code means for executing steps of the methodsdisclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represents examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of thedisclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with manytypes of computer system configurations, including personal computers,hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, and the like. Embodiments may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where tasks are performed by localand remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwiredlinks, wireless links, or by a combination thereof) through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. For example, the principles herein can apply to a Braillereading and narration system, where the user reads using his handsinstead of his eyes. Those skilled in the art will readily recognizevarious modifications and changes that may be made to the principlesdescribed herein without following the example embodiments andapplications illustrated and described herein, and without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: determining, using a camera, a gazefocal point of a user reading a text; determining, via a processor andbased on a shift in the gaze focal point during narration of the text tothe user, a user reading pace; and adjusting a narration pace of thenarration based on the user reading pace and a predicted pace, where thepredicted pace is determined based on a reading pattern of an individualother than the user.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingadjusting the narration pace based on one of a retention mode and adevelopment mode.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the retention modemaintains the narration pace with the user pace for maximal retention.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the narration pace is faster than theuser pace in the development mode.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising adjusting the narration pace by one of slowing wordpronunciation, accelerating word pronunciation, elongating pausesbetween words, and shortening pauses between words.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising adjusting the narration pace when the userpace falls outside of an acceptable range.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising utilizing the user pace to track reading improvement.8. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing one of identifiedwords, word types, and word sequences to improve user reading ability.9. A system comprising: a processor; and a computer-readable storagemedium having instructions stored which, when executed by the processor,result in the processor performing operations comprising: determining,using a camera, a gaze focal point of a user reading a text;determining, based on a shift in the gaze focal point during narrationof the text to the user, a user reading pace; and adjusting thenarration pace of the narration based on the user reading pace and apredicted pace, where the predicted pace is determined based on areading pattern of an individual other than the user.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, the computer-readable storage medium having additionalinstructions stored which, when executed by the processor, result inoperations comprising adjusting the narration pace based on one of aretention mode and a development mode.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the retention mode maintains the narration pace with the userpace for maximal retention.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein thenarration pace is faster than the user pace in the development mode. 13.The system of claim 9, the computer-readable storage medium havingadditional instructions stored which, when executed by the processor,result in operations comprising adjusting the narration pace by one ofslowing word pronunciation, accelerating word pronunciation, elongatingpauses between words, and shortening pauses between words.
 14. Thesystem of claim 9, the computer-readable storage medium havingadditional instructions stored which, when executed by the processor,result in operations comprising adjusting the narration pace when theuser pace falls outside of an acceptable range.
 15. The system of claim9, the computer-readable storage medium having additional instructionsstored which, when executed by the processor, result in operationscomprising utilizing the user pace to track reading improvement.
 16. Thesystem of claim 9, the computer-readable storage medium havingadditional instructions stored which, when executed by the processor,result in operations comprising utilizing one of identified words, wordtypes, and word sequences to improve user reading ability.
 17. Acomputer-readable storage device having instructions stored which, whenexecuted by a computing device, result in the computing deviceperforming operations comprising: determining, using a camera, a gazefocal point of a user reading a text; determining, based on a shift inthe gaze focal point during narration of the text to the user, a userreading pace; and adjusting the narration pace of the narration based onthe user reading pace and a predicted pace, where the predicted pace isdetermined based on a reading pattern of an individual other than theuser.
 18. The computer-readable storage device of claim 17, thecomputer-readable storage medium having additional instructions storedwhich, when executed by the processor, result in operations comprisingadjusting the narration pace based on one of a retention mode and adevelopment mode.
 19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 18,wherein the retention mode maintains the narration pace with the userpace for maximal retention.
 20. The computer-readable storage device ofclaim 18, wherein the narration pace is faster than the user pace in thedevelopment mode.